International
US Defense Secretary Fires Pentagon's Top Military Planner
The Hindu2h
THE BRIEF
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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Army Lt Gen Brett Sylvia, the Pentagon's top military planner heading strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, without providing an immediate replacement or reason.
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Sylvia's removal on Wednesday marks the second ousting of a 'J5' director under Hegseth, following Lt Gen Joseph McGee's forced retirement last October, amid nearly two dozen departures of senior military leaders.
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The dismissal coincides with President Donald Trump weighing renewed military strikes on Iran following the midterm elections next week, with regional allies bracing for potential retaliatory action.